It's beginning to feel a lot like... that time of year when everyone pretends it's Christmas, even though it's not. And while plenty of places around town are getting into the July festive spirit, only one is giving away free mulled wine. From 3pm on Saturday, July 28, Beyond the Pale at Coorparoo Square will be serving up free steaming vino to the first 100 customers — which is an excuse to get there early, obviously. Among the precinct's other eateries, there'll also be seasonal dishes such as Christmas chicken, Turkish hot chocolates and Christmas cakes. The culinary part of the Christmas in July Laneway Party is an all-day affair, and your now-hungry stomach can also expect food tastings. From 5–8pm, live music will also float through the centre. It's not snow, but this is Brisbane after all. Or come back on Sunday, July 29 and head over to Dendy Cinemas, where the Bill Murray-starring Scrooged will be playing — and saying "bah humbug!" — at 6.30pm.
There are many, many reasons to be excited that summer is just around the corner. Two big ones: beachside hang-outs and pool parties. So, if you've started thinking about swimwear, we have something relevant to your interests — renowned boho label Tigerlily Swimwear is holding a massive four-day warehouse sale, so get ready for some unprecedented bikini bargains. The Aussie brand has been around for just shy of 20 years and is still creating timeless prints and flattering shapes — and getting it 70 percent off makes it even better. This is Tigerlily's biggest ever warehouse sale with prices starting from just $30. Tigerlily collections from previous seasons will be on offer for you and your Vitamin-D-deficient body. And, it isn't just swimwear — playsuits, dresses, shorts, kaftans and other clothing will also be reduced to help you get your summer wardrobe sorted. The Tigerlily warehouse sale will take place at Brisbane Showgrounds from October 4–7, running from 8am–7pm on Thursday and 8am–5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Everybody loves degustations. If you like food — and who doesn't? — then you obviously like eating several courses of it, and then several more. All those plates of deliciousness can't make you forget one simple truth, however: even when you're feasting on six different delectable savoury dishes, you're still looking forward to dessert more than anything else. The solution? Make sweet treats the main attraction. And, if you're Woolloongabba's Jack Rabbit's Whiskey Bar, enlist a Brisbane chocolate-maker to help. Together, the bar and BASIK are unleashing a secret chocolate degustation upon the city on Tuesday, September 25. Tickets cost $120, and they're limited, unsurprisingly. Attendees will receive four ruby chocolate bon-bon to start with, then enjoy dinner over a drink — because everyone has to eat something sensible. Finally, everyone will work through another set of four bon-bon chocolates, but this time matched with the perfect alcohol pairings.
If the end of times means endless kegs of beer, then count us in. We're certainly willing to pretend the former is the case if the latter is the reward — and so are the folks at Archive Beer Boutique. That's why they call their signature annual event Armakeggon after all, though you, the tasty brews and the bar will all be around long after the 2018 shindig is over. Well, that and it's a catchy name to describe two days that feature more than 50 extra special, often one-off beverages poured through the West End establishment's taps until their beer-loving hearts are content. For those after more than an out-of-the-ordinary drop of the yeasty good stuff, the affordable price of admission — $15 for early-bird tickets and $20 afterwards — includes food, brewery stalls, live music and more. And, it gets you in on both days. Oh, and there'll also be activities and talks on site, too, because the only thing better than spending the day drinking is winning prizes and learning something new while you're doing it.
Anyone's day could be improved with cheeseburger spring rolls, the food mashup that everyone needs, even if they don't yet know it yet. It's one of Heya Bar's signature dishes — and on Thursdays, the venue is looking to not only improve your day, but keep your wallet in check as well. With a name like $5 Thursdays, you know what you're in — or how much you'll need to spend, more accurately. From 5pm until 1am each week, the Fortitude Valley joint is serving up its beloved snack at a bargain price, and its entire menu as well. If you're not so keen on spring rolls stuffed with the kind of things that spring rolls aren't normally stuffed with, you can also feast on karaage chicken and cauliflower, panko prawns, pork bao and several types of dumplings. Almost everything is half price or less, which is great if it's not yet pay day — or if you're on a budget but have a spare lobster for a bite and a drink.
Nothing says you're sorry like a pom pom. If you haven't heard that saying before, don't worry. We might've just made it up, but we're simply following in Rachel Burke's footsteps. Since September 2015, Burke has been the go-to gal for woollen tokens of apology after making her own, letting it loose on Instagram and watching the world take notice. Her fluffy balls of remorse inspired others to follow suit, resulting in an ongoing community art project, an exhibition in 2016 and now another follow-up at the Redland Art Gallery in Capalaba. The project, like the underlying concept itself, is as straightforward as it sounds: all manner of people craft their own pom poms, attach their candid confessions, and then post them off to be included in the artwork. In fact, Burke has received more than a thousand of them since she started. As for the exhibition, it showcases Apomogy as it currently stands, complete with multi-coloured bundles and hand-scrawled notes galore. Who knew saying sorry could be so much fun? Image: Rachel Burke, Apomogy 2015.
A long-term Friday night favourite, the Treasury Casino has been ending the working week with a series of wine and cheese shindigs — and its latest event has a little extra fizz. On October 19, the CBD venue's blend of dairy and drinks also includes bubbles, with a dedicated Champagne cocktail bar bringing a big splash of effervescence. Cheese, Wine & Bubbles goes down between 5–8pm, and features Australian wine tastings, a cider bar, cheese stations, and chargrilled vegetables, assorted dips and artisan breads too. The tastiness takes place in the Treasury's courtyard, so expect a starry backdrop and some live music as well — with the three-hour package costing $59 per person. If you're feeling extra flush, nab a $125 ticket for access to the Moët & Chandon Room in the Lab Bar. There'll be more live entertainment, but the main attraction comes from a number variety vintage and non-vintage Champers. Prepare to hear plenty of popping corks.
He's soft and cuddly, has a hankering for honey and hibernating, and believes that doing nothing leads to the very best something. With wisdom like that, he could be a wellness guru — but instead, Winnie-the-Pooh is a walking, talking teddy bear. There are many reasons to love the best-known inhabitant of the Hundred Acre Wood. Taking inspiration from a stuffed toy cherished by his son Christopher Robin, author A.A. Milne crafted the cute creature with ample affection, making him feel like the best friend that every kid always wanted. With dashings of black ink on white paper, illustrator E. H. Shepard also brought the bear to life with grace and care in drawings that felt like they could wander off the paper. Thanks to an array of short films, features and television shows over the past six decades, Pooh did mosey beyond those pages. That said, he has never taken a stroll in quite the fashion seen in Christopher Robin. With director Marc Forster (World War Z) mixing live-action and CGI, Pooh is an adorable ball of fluff that couldn't look more realistic. He's covered with tufts of naturalistic fur that viewers will instantly want to run their fingers through and, thanks to special effects that give him a well-worn appearance, it looks like plenty of people already have. Courtesy of a script by Alex Ross Perry (Golden Exits), Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) and Allison Schroeder (Hidden Figures), Pooh is also actually dispensing wellness advice to a now-adult Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor, charming even when he's haunted by stress). Indeed, if there's one thing that Christopher Robin takes seriously, it's the idea of not taking life too seriously. In a movie with the sweetness of Pooh's preferred food — but a dose of melancholy too — the childhood character pops into Christopher Robin's life when he least expects it. (Not that anyone expects a living teddy bear to find them in a London garden, follow them home and start putting their sticky paws on everything.) It has been years since Christopher farewelled Pooh, with boarding school, the Second World War, and now work and his family all monopolising his attention instead. But trying to balance his personal and professional lives, or failing to, has left Christopher in a spot of bother. While his wife Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and daughter Madeline (Bronte Carmichael) head out to the country, he's stuck at home alone working for a luggage company. Then Pooh shows up, searching for the missing Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Owl and Rabbit, and making Christopher realise exactly what he's missing. Much of Christopher Robin follows its two central characters as they roam around the Hundred Acre Wood. It's a hangout movie — viewers not only hang out with characters they love, but watch them hang out as well. While the drama about meeting work deadlines feels somewhat flimsy as a result, just soaking in the film's scenic surroundings and loveable figures offers enough to enjoy. Forster certainly thinks so, with the movie never as buoyant as when it's focusing firmly on Christopher Robin, Pooh and their green sanctuary. Intricate production design assists, ensuring that every swaying tree and meadow of grass is as eye-catching as a certain bear of very little brain. As viewers rove their eyes over Christopher Robin's splendid sights, they're doing just what the film espouses: slowing down, enjoying the moment, and switching off from the hustle and bustle. Still, as you're clearing space in your head thanks to this nice little movie — and it's truly the epitome of nice, soothing, cosy and comfortable — you might notice a few familiar elements. Forster has dallied with a beloved childhood story before in Finding Neverland, while the idea of a fictional animal character coming to life smacks of Paddington and its sequel, and Hook told overworked men to reconsider their priorities more than two decades ago. You may also recall 2017's forgettable Goodbye Christopher Robin, but thankfully Christopher Robin doesn't underestimate its audience or smother anyone in treacly sentiment. In imagining a new adventure for Pooh and his human pal rather than revisiting their beginnings, the film simply wants viewers to delight in the big-hearted pleasures of its gorgeous world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PakpWVOK37Y
Flowers aren't the only things blooming now that spring has sprung — on King Street on Saturday, October 20, botanical-based spirits will be as well. The juniper juice will be flowing as Brisbane's growing foodie hangout celebrates its first Jacaranda Gin Festival. Yes, Welcome to Bowen Hills had its own gin fest a few months back, but this is a bigger, precinct-wide affair. Of course, WtBH features prominently. It does have its own specialty gin bar, Swill, after all. The event will also take over half of King Street, with more than 20 Australian and international distillers serving up their beverages for your tasting pleasure. Entertainment-wise, expect DJs, demonstrations and discussions, so that you can dance, learn more about gin and chat about it — or all three, of course. A number of ticketing options are available, starting at $55 for a four-hour stint between either 12–4pm or 5–10pm, with an arrival gin cocktail and ten tastings included. If you'd like to hang out in a dedicated lounge area and have an extra cocktail, nab a $88 ticket — or if you're feeling flush, really love your gin and want to make a day of it, $220 lets you stay from open until close and sample until your heart's content.
With a lineup of new hits, old classics and plenty in-between, Openair Cinemas returns for 2018 with all of the outdoor movie watching that Brisbanites know and love. Once again settling into South Bank's Rainforest Green from Thursday, October 4 to Sunday, November 11, the once-a-year film season will have you feasting your eyes on a flick while you're sat both by the river and under the stars. This year's lineup jumps from opening night's Aussie AFL comedy The Merger to the dark comic book thrills of closing night's Venom. Yep, you can't say the program doesn't champion variety. Other highlights include the computer screen-based thriller Searching, the twisty delight that is A Simple Favour, espionage-fuelled amusement with The Spy Who Dumped Me and the chance to see The Meg near a body of water. Or, spend an indulgent evening with Crazy Rich Asians, wonder at the real-life rock-climbing adventure captured in documentary The Dawn Wall and get spooked by The Nun on Halloween. In the beloved favourites camp sits 80s mainstays Dirty Dancing and The Breakfast Club, as well as Christmas rom-com Love Actually (but in October, so prepare to get festive early). A tenth anniversary celebration of Twilight's brooding vampire romance is also on the bill, and if you like surprises, keep an eye out — a couple of sessions haven't yet announced their flicks. Openair Cinemas is also doggo-friendly, except on Halloween (because Fido gets afraid, too). If you don't have your own four-legged BFF, the RSPCA will be onsite every Wednesday for 'adopt a dog' Doggy Date sessions — where you can snuggle up to a pooch for the evening. Live music and DJ performances are also part of the action and, because no trip to the cinemas, indoor or out, is complete without snacks, you'll be able to grab a bite and a drink onsite. Tuck into popcorn and ice cream, feast on a Salt Meats Cheese pizza, or sip a few 4Pines brews and Giesen wines. You can also BYO picnic, as long as you don't bring booze.
Want to be surrounded by cute critters, and potentially give one a good home? Want to support the rescue groups and welfare organisations that help look after creatures with nowhere else to go? The RSPCA's annual Big Adopt-Out offers all this, plus that great feeling you get when you're helping a good cause. Basically, it's the nicest way an animal lover could spend a Saturday — Saturday, September 15 from 9am–2pm, to be specific. More than 300 mousers and pooches of all ages will promise to make your heart melt, with dedicated pavilions for both cats and dogs. That said, kittens and puppies aren't the only drawcard. Expect food trucks and live entertainment, aka perfect ways to help pass the time while you're deciding which new pet to take with you. Expect vet advice and products to purchase too, ideally for the fresh addition to your family. Entry is via a gold coin donation on the day, with adoption prices starting from $49 for a long-term cat and $99 for a long-term dog. Don't forget to pre-register if you're serious about heading home with a four-legged cutie — and if you're bringing your own woofer along to meet their new friend, you're more than welcome to, although they'll need to spend their time in the onsite doggy daycare while you're perusing the adoption area.
Two days. One cafe. Oh-so-many pugs. If that sounds like your ideal way to spend a weekend, then you'd be barking mad to miss the Little Black Pug Cafe's opening shindig — because the animals that give the Mt Gravatt newcomer its name will be scurrying around the joint. For $10 for a group of two, attendees can pat and cuddle the cute pooches, and just generally live out their dreams of getting coffee while surrounded by doggos. And yes, you can take your own pupper along as well. Plus, the event being held in conjunction with Pugs SOS, with ten percent of food and beverage sales also going to the animal charity. The party was originally planned as a one-day, drop-in affair, but it unsurprisingly proved popular, so ticketing was introduced. And, after the May 5 shenanigans sold out fast, the fun was extended to May 6 too. Tickets for the Sunday antics go on sale at 6pm on April 28, for 7-9am, 9-11am and 11am-1pm sessions.
Planning a date night during May? Lock it in for the middle of the week, as King George Square has the perfect activity. Across the first four Wednesdays of the month, the inner-city space is hosting Rom Coms & Nom Noms. There'll be flicks and food, obviously. Held on May 2, 9, 16 and 23, attendees can feast their eyes on the pop-up big screen for free — but if you're keen on a snack, there'll be grazing boxes for available for $20, featuring enough pear, rocket and walnut salad; cheese, cold meats and crackers; and cherry and chocolate brownies two. And, if you're thirsty as well, the square's new micro pub Isles Lane will be on bar duties. As for the movie lineup, it all kicks off with a crooning Heath Ledger in 10 Thing I Hate About You, then brings a feast of stars together for He's Just Not That into You. Next, the program celebrates Reese Witherspoon's latest rom-com outing with Home Again, before coming to a close with Ryan Gosling romancing Emma Stone pre-La La Land in Crazy Stupid Love. The event opens at 5pm each week, with films starting at 6.30pm.
Brisbane's big blue sky is about to get brighter — no, summer isn't here again, but Brisbane Kite Festival is. From 10am until 3pm on April 29, the high-flying event will take over the Murarrie Recreation Ground, filling the air with colourful structures flapping in the wind. It's a family-friendly affair, but kids small and big are welcome to roll out their kite and watch it float in the wind — and, if you need some help, there'll be kite workshops onsite, too. Plus, if you want to be part of the fun, but don't have your own kite, there'll be some for sale on the day, as well as professional kite flyers (yep, that's a thing) to give you a hand. When you're not holding a string and staring at the clouds, you can also grab something to eat or do a little browsing, with the festival also featuring markets and food stalls. Entry is free, but gold coin donations are welcome — as are pets, so bring your doggo along.
Queensland College of Art's latest exhibition combines the familiar and the not-so. You'll enter its Project Gallery and find artworks lining its walls, as you'd expect, but that's where the standard gallery experience ends. When you walk up to one of the objects on the display, you don't just have to stand back and look. When you approach the fur bath sitting in the middle of the room, you don't have to resist the urge to jump in. Go on, touch them all. Hop in the bath. Run your fingers over one of the items. Play with whatever takes your fancy. And, while you're doing so, don't worry about someone telling you not to. Michelle Vine's Surrogates for Social Touch is all about tactile sensations, in an exhibition that aims to explore this part of our sensory experience. There are no ropes keeping you back here, or glass cabinets protecting the artist's efforts. Surrogates for Social Touch displays at the QCA Project Gallery from May 16 to 26, open 10am until 4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Images: Installation shots from Surrogates for Social Touch, 2018. Michelle Vine.
Brisbane's idea of cooler weather might be much milder than most, but you can still slide across ice in the centre of the city in our warm part of the world. From June 22 to July 15, King George Square will become a winter wonderland thanks to the return of the Skating At Brisbane Festival. With the event back for another year, all of the frosty fabulousness Brisbanites know, love and won't find anywhere else in the CBD is back too: ice skating, obviously, but also ice sliding, rides, music, food and more. It's the next best thing to heading to Europe when it's oh-so-cool, just without the bone-chilling, teeth-chattering cold. Plus, the lineup of events includes not only regular ice skating, but a romance-themed 'date and skate' night each Tuesday, as well as an 'Ice Ice Baby' disco evening every Thursday. And as part of both, you'll be able to sip on $10 espresso martinis. Last year, the food offerings also included German sausages and gluhwein (aka warm, mulled, spiced wine), so prepare to really feel like you're abroad. Entry to the area is free, but you'll have to pay for all of the fun stuff, with the fest open from 10am–9pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am–11pm on Thursday and Friday, 9am–11pm on Saturdays and 9am–10pm on Sundays.
Talented pooches have been barking their way to big screen stardom since the birth of the medium, and Cannes Film Festival even gives out awards for ace pupper performances. Now, Australia has a new dog-themed cinema showcase. At the Top Dog Film Festival, doggos and puppers cement their status as humanity's favourite movie stars in a touring program of pooch-centric shorts. For two hours, dogs will leap across screens in a curated selection of heartwarming flicks about humanity's best friend. Last year, the lineup included films about dog-powered sports, dogs in space, dogs hiking through the desert, senior dogs and more. The festival hits Brisbane's Sc on August Schonell Cinema on July 24 as part of its national run, and rushing after tickets the way your best four-legged friend rushes after a frisbee is recommended. Given how much we all love watching dog videos online, not to mention attending pupper-centric shindigs in general, this one-night-only event is certain to be popular.
Pre-loved fashion is the gift that keeps on giving; one person's sartorial trash really is another's stylish treasure, after all. Hopefully, you'll find the latter at Revive Fashion Festival. Yes, it's an event dedicated to all things vintage and secondhand — or a way to spread the pre-loved love. Popping up at the Cultural Centre Forecourt at South Bank for one afternoon only, Revive is a chance to grab a bargain and garner a heap of great outfit ideas all at once. The city's best best pre-loved and revived clothing stalls will be selling their wares at a pop-up market, but that's only part of the fun. Who doesn't want to watch a fashion parade filled with secondhand savvy, enjoy some live entertainment and feast on bites to eat from an array of the city's best food trucks as well? Taking place from midday till 8pm on Friday, August 17, you can also get some sewing and style tips from the experts to ensure you really are making the most of your wardrobe. Now in its second year — celebrating all things old never gets old, after all — the fest is a precursor to National Op Shop Week, which runs from September 30 to October 6, so consider it a warm-up for all of the vintage shopping in your future.
Beer-loving Brisbanites, you'd best make a beeline for Woolly Mammoth on Sunday, August 5 — the Fortitude Valley bar is putting together the Mammoth Beer Can-ival. While tipples in tins will be getting some well-deserved affection, so will brews from the tap and just yeasty, boozy beverages in general. The drinks will run from 12–10pm, but we'd recommend getting there before 3pm if you're keen on sipping some freebies. That's when Young Henrys will be hosting a bar shout — yes, that means free beer — and bringing a keg of one of their limited-edition brews. Other highlights on the agenda involve beer, beer and more beer, plus food from Woolly Mammoth's kitchen and a mechanical beer can riding competition. Yes, the latter sounds ridiculous, but it nothing else, it'll make for lively viewing over what's certain to be a busy Sunday session.
Like eating? Like South Bank? Then you're going to love the combination of the two. Yes, it's Regional Flavours time again. If you haven't made it along to the inner-city precinct's signature food and wine festival over the past nine — yes nine — years, don't make that same mistake again in year ten. And, as always, entry is free. For two days across Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, the length and breadth of the parklands will become a culinary wonderland, complete with different spaces serving up different taste sensations. At the Queensland Taste Marketplace, you'll find market stalls, demonstrations and live music. At The Hunting Club, which will kick things off a little earlier on Friday, July 20 from 5pm-late, you'll find woodfired and smoked meat matched with beers. Plus, there will be areas dedicated to street food and picnics. In addition, there'll be classes, demonstrations, presentations and signings from a huge range of chefs — such as Adam Liaw, George Calombaris, Matt Preston, Katharine Sabbath, Miguel Maestre, Sarah Wilson, Jessica Sepel, Alastair McLeod and more. Need some energy for all of the above? A locally brewed coffee flavoured beer will also make its debut at the fest. Regional Flavours will run across Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22 from 10am to 5pm (8pm at River Quay and until late at The Hunting Club). For more information, visit the Regional Flavours website.
There's treating yo'self, and then there's treating yo'self. On one side sits grabbing a sneaky doughnut on your way home from work; on the other, taking yourself out for a five-course truffle degustation dinner. Just as everyone deserves the former every once in a while, everyone should get to enjoy the latter, too — even if it's a limited-time-only kind of deal. If you want to indulge in a hefty Truffle Degustation dinner, Bacchus has the goods, but only until August 4. For $179 for food only and $269 with added free-flowing Savatere Pinot Noir, you can eat your way through the truffliest meal you've ever eaten (and convince yourself that truffliest is a word). Free-range 64-degree egg with truffles; parmesan risotto with truffles; beef with smoked eggplant, camel cheese and truffle — yes, that's some of what you'll be devouring. To top it all off, there's also chocolate and truffle ice cream. You'll think you're in truffle heaven.
The soundtrack to the last couple of decades has come with a thumping beat, and The End and Jet Black Cat are here to celebrate it. From 5pm on Saturday, June 30, the latter will be heading across the road to the former to spin some tracks and turn the volume up loud, in a night that'll take attendees through recent electronic music history. Say hey boy hey girl to the Chemical Brothers, wonder where your head's at thanks to Basement Jaxx and go around the world with Daft Funk — and, as always, that's just the beginning of the evening's playlist. At Electric Dreams: An Electronic Music Retrospective, everything from Massive Attack and Air to Depeche Mode and The Avalanches will get a whirl, and folks will be filling the dancefloor in response. On DJing duties, DJ Heartbeats, Mumgenes, Decks Panther, Mild Birds and Preece will be selecting tracks, as will Munch & Crunch, Howie Z, Cheese & Biscuits and Songs In Full. If you've been missing the Big Day Out's Boiler Room, here's the next best thing. Entry is free, and the electronica runs until midnight.
It has been 11 art-filled years since Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art first opened its doors, and the creative riverside hub just keeps going from strength to strength. Over the past year, Yayoi Kusama, Gerhard Richter and Patricia Piccinini exhibitions have all taken on the space, and now GOMA is preparing to unveil its illuminating new permanent work: a brand new light installation by artist James Turrell. You might be familiar with the Arizona-based artist's work if you've been to Mona or the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). He's the one behind the sky-centred installations at both galleries — at Mona, the gazebo-like Armana lights up at sunrise and sunset each day, and at the NGA in Canberra, Within without acts as an outdoor viewing chamber to enhance your view of the sky. All up, Turrell has created 80 'skyspaces' like these around the world. Brisbane's Turrell piece isn't a standalone structure like these other two Australian works. Instead, the work will light up GOMA's eastern and southern white façades from within the building with a pattern developed by Turrell especially for the location. It's been described as "an ever-evolving pattern of intensifying and diffusing coloured light" by GOMA director Chris Saines, and when lit, it will make the gallery visible from across the river and around South Bank's cultural precinct. The plan is to light up the gallery from dusk until midnight each evening — and while the tunnel was originally set to be installed by late last year, it'll officially start glowing from 6pm on Friday, July 13, with Turrell in attendance. There'll be drinks and food available to buy, turning the whole thing into a party. And if you're keen on hearing more about the artwork, head back at 11am on Saturday, July 14 for a talk with Turrell himself. And while it's a new addition to GOMA, it's also a feature that ties into the gallery's history. As Saines explains, "during the development of GOMA, lead architects Kerry Clare, Lindsay Clare and James Jones envisaged an artist-illuminated 'white box' on the gallery's main pedestrian approaches. More than a decade on, Turrell's architectural light installation realises the potential of GOMA's white box façade, and completes a major aspect of the architects' original design intention." By Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
How do two filmmaking siblings follow up one of the biggest Australian comedies of the 21st century? With a much bleaker slice of comic action. In the 12 years between Kenny and Brothers' Nest, Shane Jacobson hasn't been far from screens. In fact, he's graced local cinemas in the awful trio of Guardians of the Tomb, The BBQ and That's Not My Dog! just this year alone. But making another film with his brother, actor-director Clayton Jacobson, has taken much, much longer than it'd take Kenny to plumb most of the country's toilets. While Brothers' Nest is as far removed from the Jacobsons' toilet-fixing mockumentary as you can get, it's mostly worth the wait — an attempt to meld grimy psychological thrills with black comedy that doesn't break the mould, but delivers exactly what it promises. Shane and Clayton co-star as a luckless and unhappy duo intent on securing what's rightfully theirs and willing to do whatever it takes to get it, even resorting to planning the perfect murder. Their cancer-stricken mum (Lynette Curran) is dying and, to their dismay, she's just changed her will to leave everything to their stepfather Rodger (Kim Gyngell). With the family home in country Victoria on the line, no-nonsense elder sibling Jeff (Clayton Jacobson) quickly convinces his kindlier younger brother Terry (Shane Jacobson) that homicide is the only option to reclaim their inheritance. It's with a wry smile that Brothers' Nest begins with its titular pair cycling up to their childhood abode, donning orange jumpsuits and hospital booties, and starting to enact Jeff's meticulous plan. Visually, the picture is soaked in fog and grey, befitting a sombre mood — but the moment Jeff and Terry start preparing for their grisly task, humour cracks the grim facade. Indeed, Clayton Jacobson and writers Jaime Browne (The Mule) and Chris Pahlow manage a delicate balancing act for the first two-thirds of the film, milking the business of knocking off a family member, and dealing with deep-seeded woes, for both drama and laughs. Still, there comes a point where brothers' banter can't bring cheer to this tale, with their bickering — often sparked by Jeff's pedantic determination to stick to his detailed to-do list — only going so far as the movie veers into more tragic territory. That said, much of the film's success stems from the Jacobsons' performances, with the pair pretending to be other, more desperate siblings. Fleshing out a fraught picture of brotherly love in the process, it's clearly not a case of art imitating life, but the authentic connection between their characters runs deeper than if the actors weren't related. For Shane, as the unsurprisingly more affable of the two, it's a more interesting and challenging big-screen role than he's had in some time, although his 'loveable larrikin' public persona softens Terry's quiet sadness. For Clayton, taking the sterner, more brittle part — and eventually, the more unhinged as well — it's a welcome reminder that his talents don't just reside behind the camera. Wielding that lens, Clayton's efforts are effective. Viewers never forget that this is a low-budget affair, particularly given that it's confined to one setting, but many rousing thrillers have been. A hefty smattering of inventive shots catch the eye, while the short but definitely not sweet film is well-paced, with Clayton also co-editing. Sadly the supporting cast are all noticeably underused, although Curran, Gyngell and Sarah Snook each make their marks. Of course, you don't go to a dark, murderous comedy called Brothers' Nest for something other than siblings getting kill-happy, and this taut, claustrophobic account of blood, money and double-crossing does what it needs to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdo5oiBQOgs
Booze-sipping wannabe Picassos, take note: it's your time to shine. While there are regular classes and even entire businesses devoted to the concept, Brisbane's latest excuse to get creative while indulging in a beverage or two is offering something different — instead of painting any old picture, you can whip up a portrait of your favourite four-legged creature. Keen on having a few drinks, picking up a paintbrush and creating a masterpiece that makes a star out of your beloved cat, dog, goldfish, budgie, rabbit, hermit crab or whatever other pet you might have? That's one of the options at MK Gallery's Paint, Sip & Nibble nights, which are taking place on various dates at Toasted Cafe. You can also opt for a stock image of an elephant, horse, koala, alpaca, ladies on a beach or other arty options, but where's the fun in that? Classes cost $90 if you're painting your pet (you'll just need to email through a photo of them beforehand) and $75 if you're going with one of the standard paintings — and if you're keen, you'd best get in quick. After selling out numerous sessions between July and September, the gallery is currently taking bookings for 5.45pm November 3 and December 8. Tapas will be supplied as part of your ticket, but you'll need to bring your own plonk (or you can buy coffees, milkshakes and soft drinks onsite). Image: MK Gallery.
Sipping a frosty beer. Sinking your teeth into a tasty cupcake. That mightn't like an obvious pairing, but bear with us. We're firm believers that absolutely every food goes well with a yeasty brew — as long as you find the right match. While sipping, eating and trying to come up with the best possible combinations sounds like everyone's dream job, Saccharomyces Beer Cafe has done the hard work for you when it comes to beer and cupcakes. To celebrate the return of Kaiju Beer's malty Where Strides the Behemoth, the South Brisbane venue has found the perfect baked treat to accompany the dark ale, so it's throwing a party from 5pm on Thursday, June 14. Yep, it's a beer and cupcake shindig — something you've probably never contemplated before. Other Kaiju brews will be on tap, each matched to a fluffy dessert. This is what being an adult is all about, right?
Is your lunchtime missing something? When the working day is done, does your evening need some extra fun? Will free live music solve both situations? On Thursday, June 21, the Queen Street Mall will boast plenty, with free gigs held outside the Myer Centre, outside the Wintergarden and in Post Office Square. Head into the city centre at 12.30pm and 4pm to add a soundtrack to your day. On the bill: Kabuku Kombi, Sweet Boheme and Shannon Sol Carroll at lunch, and then Kingfisha and Two Tears in a Bucket in the afternoon. And there'll be chairs set up outside the main stage so that everyone can get comfortable. While giving the city the gift of music needs no excuse, the event forms part of Make Music Day. A global initiative, it sees musicians in more than 120 countries take to open spaces to sing, strum and play. Image: Brisbane City Council.
"Show me what you got!" someone will yell at Mucho Mexicano after 7pm on Monday, June 18. Don't worry, armaheadon isn't here — but you will want to get schwifty. The tune Rick and Morty came up with to appease song-loving aliens and save the earth is bound to come up. It's a Rick and Morty trivia night, after all. Channelling your inner Rick is recommended if you want to slay your trivia foes — and, like Rick, that probably means drinking a few sangrias as well. While you're living it up like an eccentric scientist and his constantly distressed teenage grandson, answering questions and showing your Rick-tastic knowledge, Man vs Bear will be overseeing the fun. And, if your response to every query is "nobody belongs anywhere, nothing exists on purpose, everybody's gonna die," we're guessing it'll probably be accepted. Donning some brown pants and a white lab coat is optional. Be there, or be Jerry.
Back in the '80s, Bruce Springsteen was onto something — and so was Courteney Cox. As immortalised in one memorable music video, the boss and the Friends star know the joys of dancing in the dark. So does No Lights No Lycra, Brisbane's weekly evening dedicated to getting your groove on without glaring brightness, staring revellers or shiny outfits. And while they're letting limbs fly every week over in West End, come Friday, July 20 they have something extra special on offer. From 7pm, anyone keen to let loose can do so at the UQ Art Museum — while wandering through the gallery, no less. Unleashing one form of creativity in a space dedicated to the concept in its many artistic iterations? Yes, it's a perfect match, with DJ Chris Bennie providing the tunes. Entry is free but registration is required as places are limited.
A word of warning for anyone approaching the Bowen Hills area on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15. If you don't like bacon, you might want to steer clear. With a heap of the city's food trucks descending upon the suburb, bringing plenty of pork with them and cooking up a storm, we're predicting that you'll be able to smell the scent of frying bacon well beyond the Brisbane Showgrounds. And hear it, too. Prepare for the sounds of sizzling to echo across King Street as Welcome to Bowen Hills throws a two-day Bacon Festival. Sure, the venue seems to dedicate every weekend to a new kind of food — but when it's something this tasty, no one is complaining. Across the fest, the appropriately named The Frying Piggy and The Roaming Pig will be doing what they do best, plus, Mr Burger, Bearded Brothers, Micasa Burger Truck, Salt Meats Cheese and Bimm's BBQ Chargrill too. Don't just expect to get your bacon fix in edible form either, with bacon-themed booze flowing through the bar as well.
Drinking vino, snacking on dairy foods and devouring gourmet salumi is most people's idea of a great afternoon — and, come Saturday, July 28, it's Gerard's Bar's as well. Between midday and 2pm, the Fortitude Valley venue is hosting a wine-tasting arvo with bites to go with it. Even better: it's only $35. At Wine Meats Cheese, you'll enjoy all of the above, with lesser-known varietals in the spotlight. Producers getting their time to shine — and, to dance across your tastebuds — include Tonic & Chalmers, Billy Button and Hither & Yon. It's the latest event in what the James Street bar has previously called a "wine adventure", but however they badge it, it's an ace excuse to discover new drops while feasting on artisan cheese and charcuterie. The usual advice applies: arrive with a thirst for top wine and a taste for the perfect accompaniments. And, because it's part of this year's James St Food and Wine Trail, this delicious session also includes honey samples from Bee One Third Honey as well.
If the phrase "oh Rexy, you're so sexy" means something to you, then it's likely you spent a large part of the late 90s and early 00s watching Empire Records — and all the years since, too. The cult comedy is set to make a comeback via the Broadway stage by 2020; however you can damn the man and save the empire long before then, and without leaving Brisbane. That's what happens when Blute's Bar commemorates Rex Manning Day. From 9pm on Saturday, July 7, the Brunswick Street venue will be turning its corner of Fortitude Valley into everyone's favourite fictional record store — or spinning a soundtrack that'll make you think that's the case, at the very least. That means plenty of tunes from two decades ago, and probably someone jumping up on a table to sing 'Sugar High'. You know you want it to be you. Blute's is also promising that Rex Manning will be there, and we're sure you're keen to see how that turns out. And while the actual Rex Manning Day is on April 8, don't let that stop you from celebrating all things Empire Records — not that you need a reason.
Speedsters of Australia, it's time to don your best red cap, slide into a pair of overalls and jump behind the wheel. If you want to take part in Mushroom Racing, the outfit isn't optional — although, if that's not your style, you could pick a green hat or a dinosaur costume instead. Not content with zipping through the streets of Tokyo and causing quite a stir, a real-life version of Mario Kart is headed to Brisbane. Across Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18, participants will dress up as their favourite character, get cosy in a go-kart, race till their heart's content and collect stars to win prizes. While Tokyo's MariCar lets racers zoom along the city's actual roadways (yes, really), that won't be what will happen here — while the location is still a secret, the organisers stress that it won't be on the street. We're certain that throwing shells or bananas at your opponents won't be happening either. Sure, that's all well and fun when you're mashing buttons and trying not to fall off the Rainbow Road while you're playing one of Nintendo's many console versions (or counting down the days until the first Mario Kart smartphone game is released), but it's definitely not cool in real life. Tickets are $100.16 ($85 plus booking fee) and include your 20 laps of zooming, costume hire, a snack and transport to and from the CBD. With four sessions running each day, there's also a games room and an after party — and it's worth noting that the drop-off and pick-up times are four hours apart, so it'll be a half-day activity. Organisers are calling it "the rally of a lifetime", and while that's definitely overstating the significance of driving around pretending you're Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Wario or whichever other character you like, you know you're eager to give the novelty a go. And, let's face it, it's not quite as ridiculous as human bowling.
It's the typical culinary conundrum: sometimes, your taste buds are just screaming out for dishes from a few different restaurants. For Brisbanites, perhaps you feel like a few Italian bites from Otto Ristorante followed by some wood-fired grill goodness from Pony Dining? Or maybe you want to munch on the much awarded and applauded goodness that is the three-hatted Esquire and Urbane's respective menus, one after the other? Thanks to a trio of local foodies, now you can (yet again). In fact, you can enjoy meals from all four at one event. If you missed it in 2016 and 2017, the unique eating experience is called Bite Sip Stroll after the European style of dining out. There, indulging in a plate at one place and then a drink at another, and just wandering between eateries in general, is a common occurrence. Basically, it's a moving feast of cuisine and wine pairings, as well as a brief walking tour of Brissie's best inner-city, river-adjacent spots. You'll pay $129 per head for the privilege, but you don't have lunch like this everyday. Tickets are limited, so we suggest getting yours as quick as you can.
All-you-can-eat chicken is a concept everyone can get behind, and many a poultry lover has since KaiKai Chicken opened its doors in St Lucia. Free chicken is just as great an idea, if not even better. After it proved a hit last year, that's what the Hawken Drive joint is serving up come February 27. They've been doing their chicken buffet thing for a while now, adding unlimited pork ribs and unlimited booze options to the mix, and so that's reason enough to celebrate. From midday to 3pm, they're giving away three-piece packs with chips. Expect succulent morsels available in three flavours. Before you can say "winner winner free chicken dinner (or lunch)", you have to share their Facebook page, then turn up between the allocated hours on the day. Given that Brisbane is a mere a giant drumstick statue away from declaring fried chook the city's favourite food, expect plenty of company in this quest for a clucking great meal.
The Flying Cock do beer and chicken well. Beer yoga and boozy barre classes too. The list goes on, including gigs, trivia, watching sport and just hanging out — and, now comedy. Getting into the funny business, the Fortitude Valley watering hole is launching You're Joking on February 22 — the first of its regular events aiming to get you in stitches. The aim is offer up not only laughs, but some variety on the bill, including the show's two-part format: interactive silliness with The Gong, with the games changing each time, and then the headline comedian. Three-time Barry nominee Damien Power is doing the honours to get things started, in what The Flying Cock hopes will be more than just your average standup night. Tickets cost $5 on the door — and if you work up an appetite from all that chuckling, don't forget that it's also $3 taco night.
She was once one of the most famous movie stars in the business, with an Oscar to her name and roles in everything from It's a Wonderful Life to Oklahoma! to The Big Heat. But in 1981, Gloria Grahame (played here by Annette Bening) was worlds away from her '50s Hollywood heyday. Preparing to take to the UK stage in a version of The Glass Menagerie, she collapsed in pain just before the curtains opened. Refusing medical treatment, Grahame instead asked to recuperate in Liverpool, at the family home of her younger ex-boyfriend and local actor Peter Turner (Jamie Bell). Adapted from Turner's memoir of the same name, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool doesn't play shy with its narrative. Even for those unfamiliar with this particular chapter in tinseltown's history, there's no prizes for guessing where it's all heading. And yet, much like the movie's multifaceted protagonist, first appearances soon prove to be misleading. Grahame was known for her brash femme fatales in the days of black-and-white cinema, but her on-screen persona only told part of her story. Directed with period flair and eye-catching scene transitions by Paul McGuigan (Victor Frankenstein), the film that charts her final years likewise does more than just combine a tear-inducing tale of sickness with an unlikely romance. Both love and illness feature prominently in Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, with Grahame and Turner's time together unfolding in flashbacks while she's convalescing under the care of his mother (Julie Walters). In sequences from their early days together, she's spirited and sultry, and he's instantly smitten — whether they're trading lines to help her rehearse, catching a showing of Alien, or enjoying a sensationally seductive disco session in her London living room. Later, as she tries to ignore her worsening condition, she's defiant and he's doting, even as her impending demise hangs between them. From these contrasting glimpses, a touching portrait forms not only of a fading star, but of a fascinating, complicated woman and an equally intricate relationship. As such, those eager for a full rundown of Grahame's career would do well to read up before (or after) they hit the cinema. Matt Greenhalgh's latest celebrity-focused screenplay (after Control, Nowhere Boy and The Look of Love) is more a character study than a cradle-to-grave biopic, evoking a entrancing sense of the actress' presence and personality rather than dwelling upon her work. In Grahame's contemplative backstage moments, her flirtatious looks and her all-round fighting spirit, the film serves up a multi-layered portrayal of a multi-layered figure. In doing so, it says as much about its subject as it does the industry's disdain for ageing, and society's lack of regard for older women in particular. With all that in mind, it's hardly surprising that Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool benefits enormously from Bening's stellar performance. Despite missing out on well-deserved awards acclaim for both this and last year's 20th Century Women, the four-time Academy Award nominee just keeps going from strength to strength. Digging beneath glamour and vanity, and painting Grahame as vibrant and vulnerable all at once, Bening's work makes it easy to understand why Turner melts in her company. For his part, in his best role (and with his best dance scene) since Billy Elliot, Bell delivers a tender and textured performance. But when Bening shines, the whole bittersweet film shines with her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnE7jdOfp3E
It doesn't take much for The Brightside to throw a party. Take a day of the week, turn it into an occasion just for the sake of it, throw in a theme and yep, you've got a shindig going on. Their latest weekly reason to head down to Warner Street feels like it was put together just like that — but when it involves old school R 'n' B and fry fry chicky chick, well, no one is complaining. Meet RNB Fry Days. As with many things in life, the name says plenty. Admit it: just from reading that title, you have a hankering for some nostalgic jams and Lucky Egg's finest poultry, don't you? To satisfy those new cravings, drop by the Valley hangout every Friday, with the fun kicking off at 11am. That means that an R 'n' B and chicken lunch is your new favourite way to end the week, or head on by after quitting time, with DJs and MCs in action from 6pm.
Drinking vino, snacking on dairy foods and devouring gourmet salumi is most people's idea of a great afternoon — and, come March 3, it's Gerard's Bar's as well. Between midday and 4pm, they're hosting a wine-tasting arvo with bites to go with it. Even better: it's only $20. At Wine Meats Cheese, you'll enjoy all of the above, with minimal intervention tipples that don't necessarily abide by the rules in the spotlight. Producers getting their time to shine — and, to dance across your tastebuds — include Cullen, Yarngarra Estate, Jauma, Shobbrook, BK Wines, Yelland & Papps and Unico Zelo. It's the first event in what the Valley bar is calling a "wine adventure", but however they badge it, it's an ace excuse to discover new drops while feasting on cured meats, cheeses and house-made preserves. The usual advice applies: arrive with a thirst for top wine and a taste for the perfect accompaniments.
Every music lover has dreamed of owning their own record store. What hasn't factored into everyone's fantasies, however, is what happens when that passion for vinyl leaves you with crates and crates of albums, and then crates and crates more. Yes, there are only so many sleeves that even the biggest shop run by the biggest music buff can handle — meaning that, often there's some additional stock needing a new home. In Butter Beats' case, that's just the scenario they find themselves in, and they're coping with it in the best possible way. On February 10 from 9am, they're heading to West End's Kurilpa Hall to sell off a huge heap of surplus bits and pieces. The best part? Each record is $3. Yes, you can boost your vinyl collection for little more than spare change, with all styles of music on offer. If you're after some reading material as well, magazines will also be on sale for $1. And, if your piggy bank is empty, EFTPOS will be available.
If there's one thing that Sundays were made for, it's enjoying leisurely drinks to the strains of a live tune or several in one of Brisbane's best hangouts. If wine and acoustic grooves tick the first two boxes for you, then head to The Triffid on June 17 to take care of the latter at Vino & Vibes. Ten Aussie wineries will bring more than 50 tipples to Newstead for your tasting pleasure, so prepare to keep a wine glass in your hand. You'll actually receive your very own to take home with you, plus discounts if you're keen on purchasing a few bottles or more. Don't forget the other great aspect of wine events: picking up a few tidbits and insider tricks that you can wheel out over dinner every time you get the chance afterwards. Oh, and plonk and lots of it. We'll say cheers to that. Note: This event was previously scheduled for May 6, but will now take place on June 17.
How much laughing can you do in one month? It's time to find out. For the ninth year in a row, all things funny are taking over the city for the Brisbane Comedy Festival. Running from February 23 to March 25 not only at the fest's usual home of Brisbane Powerhouse, but with shows at Brisbane City Hall and SunPAC too, this year's lineup continues a grin-inducing trend: yes, it's bigger and better once again. More than 70 Australian and international comics are taking to the microphone to tickle your funny bones, win you over with their witty gags and simply sling more jokes at you then your stomach can probably handle. Amusing folks endeavouring to do just that include Jim Gaffigan, Mel Buttle, Rich Hall, Matt Okine, Zoe Coombs Marr, Nazeem Hussain, Sam Simmons and Celia Pacquola — and if you hadn't guessed already, the very lengthy list just keeps going. If you're looking for something a little looser in its vibe than the usual standup setup (and a bit later, too), After Hours returns as well. Or, you could head on back a few decades with Yada Yada Yada, a '90s Sitcom Special.
Sunday session: they're two of the finest words in the English language, particularly if you like ending your weekend in style (and forgetting that you have to go back to reality the next day, even just for a few hours). Thanks to Salt Meats Cheese, they're about to be joined by a few more excellent terms: Aperol Spritz jugs, live music and free pizza. From March 18, that's what's on the menu from 2pm to 6pm every Sunday at their Gasworks and Surfers Paradise stores. Farewell your few days off with a sip, a bite and some tunes — and don't pay more than $35. Yes, as part of the new weekly event, SMC are also serving up spritz jugs for that exact amount. And, it includes whatever type of pizza you'd like for absolutely nothing. Just pick your favourite from their 14 varieties and settle in for the arvo.
When you're a bar that nods to all things spooky in your name, and you boast more than a couple of monster-themed pinball and arcade machines, then you're going to like the end of October. Netherworld does, of course. Indeed, the Valley pub has been throwing beer fests and frightfests all month — and now it's celebrating Halloween in the expected style. So, what's on the agenda come Wednesday, October 31, other than a few pumpkins around the place? Expect a ghoulish night of scary fun — or, a monster mash if you will. Yep, you know that DJ El Norto is going to give the track a spin, and you know that you're going to dance to it, creepy cocktail in hand. Plus, if you dress up for a evening of Halloween gaming goodness, you'll score five free tokens for your trouble. Entry is free, with the spooky fun going down between 6pm–1am.
Come 2019, Brisbane will welcome Stone & Wood to town in a major way, with the brewery opening up its own site and tasting room on Bridge Street in Fortitude Valley. Can't wait that long? It's also hitting up its new spot on Saturday, November 24 — and hosting the Stone & Wood Backyard Invitational. A one-day brew fest running from 12–4pm, this shindig will showcase both S&W tipples and those from other breweries and distillers — complete with tastings, of course. The lineup will also include masterclasses and forums, plus live tunes. One of the highlights, other than just beer in general, will be a chat about food and drink themes hosted by Ale of a Time's Luke Robertson. The lineup of participating parties is yet to be revealed, but you can sign-up for more details and ticket notifications. When tix go on sale, they'll cost $60 + booking fee, with a tasting glass, tastings from all the breweries and access to all of the talks included in the price. While the event celebrates S&W's ten years in the beer business, it's spreading the love, with profits going to its Ingrained Foundation.
Alrighty then, film fans — it's time for a movie double that's quite the blast from the past. It's the flick that made Jim Carrey famous, plus the sequel that it had to have. And if you're getting 90s flashbacks, well, that's completely understandable. For one night only — Wednesday, October 17, to be precise — Barbara is hosting a movie night, with both Ace Ventura films in the spotlight. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective will kick off at 7pm, followed by Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls at 9pm. And, in good news for your bank balance, this retro comedy night is free. Of course, you'll need some cash for a few drinks. We'd say that you can sit through this pair of pictures sober, but watching two-decade-old comedies in a bar calls for a few beverages. This isn't a dress-up affair, but we all know what all it calls for: your best Hawaiian shirt.
Sick of looking at the walls of your house? Feel like a change of decor will be as good as a holiday? The solution is simple: go green. We're not talking about anything drastic, so don't worry if you can't paint the walls or afford a new couch. Thankfully, rustling up the cash for a few leafy plants is much more affordable — and much easier. Find greenery aplenty at Little Urban Oasis' Indoor Plant Pop-Up Shop, which is taking over the Woolloongabba Substation on Saturday, November 17. From 10am–1pm, you'll find a huge range of plants, including harder-to-find varieties, as well as the pots to put them in. Buy them together, all ready to place on your shelves — or buy them separately, with handmade ceramics on offer from Sleek And Who. You can also get your new plants potted onsite at the Little Urban Oasis potting station. And, because all that plant pondering and purchasing is hungry work, the Baby It's Cold Outside food truck will be on the premises to provide sustenance. Enjoy a coffee, frappe, smoothie or fruit-filled ice cream while you're mulling over the selection. Remember: you can never have too much greenery.
Two days. Five movies. Many, many bumps, jumps, frights, spooks and scares. That's Kristian Fletcher's Halloween 2018 Movie Program, with the cult movie buff once again honouring the most unsettling time of the year. Plenty of horror classics are covered, dating from the 1920s through to the 1980s. Indeed, they're the two decades that will be in the spotlight at Metro Arts' Lumen Room on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. Tickets start at $13.50 — and you can opt to see an entire day or night's worth, or just a single movie. If you're after a couple of particularly old school flicks, Fletcher's Roaring Twenties Cinema program will screen The Cabinet of Dr Caligari andThe Cottage on Dartmoor from 7.30pm on Friday, October 26, both with live piano accompaniment. Then it's 80s time on Saturday, October 27, thanks to The Lost Boys, the original Poltergeist and vampire effort The Hunger starring David Bowie. Plus, you can decide whether to make a day or night of it, thanks to sessions of The Lost Boys at 2.45pm to get things started or at 8.15pm to finish up.
RollerFit is finally coming to Brisbane — and to celebrate, it wants you to go for a spin. Regular Wednesday and Sunday classes will kick off at the YMCA Bowen Hills in November; however you can get a sneak peek on Sunday, October 28. Even better: you can hit the rink for free. RollerFit's Open Day will run across two one-hour sessions, with beginners and intermediate skaters getting their skates on between 12.30–1.30pm, and intermediate to advanced speedsters lacing up between 2–3pm. And if this is the first time you've ever even thought about living out your Whip It or Xanadu dreams, don't worry — the novice class also includes learn-to-skate lessons. If you don't have your own wheels, you can rent them for the class — but while entry is free, skate hire will cost you $5. Rental covers sizes 5–13, and it's a first-come, first-served kind of deal. Whether you're hiring or bringing your own, all skaters are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before their session.
There's nothing quite like a great story told well, especially if that tale has the power to scare or unsettle. Yes, we're talking about the kind of story you might hear around a campfire — but you don't need crackling wood fiery flames and marshmallows to share, listen to and enjoy a frightening narrative. With spinning tales exactly what Yarn is all about, the regular event is dedicating Thursday, November 1 specifically to ghost stories. And while it's happenning the night after Halloween, that's because there's never a bad time to get spooked, and because it ties in with Metro Arts' Deathfest. And, really, when it comes to this time of year, who doesn't want the macabre fun to go on as long as it can? Taking place in Metro Arts' Lumen Room, the unease runs from 7–9pm, with tickets costing $10. While there won't actually be a campfire, there will be heaps of haunted tales — about ghosts of many kinds.
